E.J. Rush was born May 8, 1944 and passed away on Monday, July 31, 2017 at Duncan Regional Hospital after a prolonged illness.Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 3, 2017 in the Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Morgan officiating.The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, 5 to 6:30 PM at the funeral home.A graduate of Empire High School, E.J. served his country proudly and honorably during the Vietnam Era as a member of the United States Air Force. After returning home from the service, he worked in a long career for the City of Duncan Parks Service, eventually retiring as Cemetery Superintendent.E.J. loved to read and be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and riding around in the country for hours on end. He fell in love with Alaska during his visits to see his cousin David while he lived there. He loved movies, computers, his retirement and spending mornings at the Southside Diner.Above all else, he loved his family. E.J. never married nor had children, but loved his nephew and grand nieces and nephews as his own, taking all of them on adventure after adventure far and wide. He did everything he could to encourage and support them as they grew up and made their own way in the world.He was loved dearly and is missed deeply.E.J. is survived by his two great nephews Patrick Logan Welch and Christian Alexander Welch, his great niece Jaiden Renne' Welch, his nephew Sean Patrick Welch, his cousin David Mills, his brother-in-law Patrick Wayne Welch and his sister Patricia Irene Welch.Honorary bearers will be Patrick Welch, Christian Welch, Jaiden Welch, Sean Welch and David Mills.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc.Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.granthamfuneralhomes.com